Rotary-speed indicator.



- "m. 740,698; PATBNTBD 001?. s, 1903.

- H. W. SGHLOTFBIQDT.

ROTARY SPEED mmcuon.

APPLICATION PILED KOVEQZS 1901.

H0 KGDEL,

No. 740,698. V. I UNITED. STATES Patented October 6, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ROTARY-SPEED INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 740,698, dated October6, 1903.

Application filed November 23, 1901. Serial No. 83,440. iNo model.)

' displacement of liquid,whereby alterations in ainpressure are producedwithin the measur ing apparatus. Between the pressure-gage and theexternal air is arranged a conduit for the liquid set in movement by therotary motion in such a manner that upon said liquid entering theconduit the pressure-gage is closed to the atmosphere and owing to thisclosing action the latter is thereby subjected to an alteration ofair-pressure-i. e., either rarefaction or compression.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown by way of example twoforms ofindicator constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 1 is a'eentral vertical section of the first constructional formof my improved rotary-speed indicator. 7 Fig. 2 is a similar section ofthe second constructional form of my rotary-speed indicator. Fig. 3 is acentral vertical section of 'apreferred form of pressure-gage to be usedin connection with my speed-indicator. Fig. 4.- is a detailed viewshowing a plan or top view of the cylinderbottom.

Similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Both the constructional forms, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the annexeddrawings, comprise a cylinder 1, having two trunnions 2 and 3. Thetrunnion 2 is hollow and is fitted with driving means-for example, abeveled wheel 4--adapted to transmit the rotary motion of the part of amachine which it is de'-. sired to measure onto the cylinder 1. In theinterior of the cylinder 1 is provided a second cylinder 5, with anintervening space, such cylinder being mounted loose on the trunnion 3and fixed on a tube 6, passing through the tubular or hollow trunnion 2and fixed to the bearing 28 of the latter. The internal cylinder isthusheld stationary within the outer cylinder. The internal cylinder ,ternalspace of the outer cylinder.

is divided by a central partition 7 into two spaces 8 and 9, the latterbeing in communication with the interior of the outer cylinder 1 bymeans of the partly-hollow trunnion 3, having openings, and by radialpassages 10 in the cylinder-bottom 11. Between each two radialpassages'lO there is formed in the inner surface of the cylinder-bottoma radial groove or channel 12, the purpose of which will be hereinaftermore fully explained. Upon the surface of the partition 7 are formed anumber of radial channels 13, which connect the inner cylinder-space 8with the i'n- In the latter and the cylinderspace 9 is provided aliquid-for example, mercurywhich rises between the two cylinders 1 and 5when the outer cylinder revolves. If the rotation reaches a certainspeed, the liquid enters through the channels 13 into the cylinderspace8and through openings 14 into the fixed inner tube 6 of the innercylinder.

In the form shown in Fig. 1 the inner tube 6 is fitted with apipe 15,which opens at one end through the partition 7 into the cylinderspace 9and on the otherend freely into the tube 6, which is connected with apressuregage or measuring apparatus. Moreover, the upper end of thecylinder-space 8 is open and communicates with the outer air through anaperture 16 in the outer cylinder-cover. From this arrangement it isclear that the liquid entering through the openings 14; into faction ofthe air in cylinderspace 9 andv tube 15 is created and communicated tothe measuring apparatus, the indicated degree of rarefactionof the airgivingthe speed of rotation. p r

In the second constructional form (shown in Fig. .2) the tube 6 isfitted with two tubes 17 and 18, one inside the other, and of which theinnermost tube 18 is connected at one end with the outer air and on theother end with'the cylinder-space 9, while the tube 17 forms annularspaces both with the tube 18 and the tube 6. The annular space between17 and 18 is closed at bottom and open at top,

and the orifices 14 open into it. The annular space between 17 and 6 isopen at bottom and closed at top and comm u nicateswith the closedcylinder-space 8 through openings 19, While a conduit 20placesitincommunication with the measuringapparatus. From this arrangement itfollows, on the one hand, that the liquid ontering through the openings14 into the annular space between 17 and 18 closes the passage of theouter air through such annular space through the openings 14 and 19 andthrough the annular space between 17 and 6 to the measuring apparatus,and that then, on the other hand, the liquid entering the cylinderspace8 creates an increase in the air-pressure in the measuring apparatus,the indicated degree giving the rotary speed.

The previously-mentioned radial grooves 12 upon the inner surface of thecylinder-bottom 11 have the object to cause the liquid to be everywhererotated, and thereby forced outward, and to prevent the return flow ofthe liquid into the cylinder-space 9 through unavoidable escapes betweenthe loosely-disposed inner cylinder-bottom and trunnion 3.

By an adjustable plate 21 in the cylinderspace 9 the vertical ascendingdistance for the liquid till it closes the openings 14 i. 6., till thecommencement of speed indicationmay be regulated as required. The spacebetween the plate 21 and the partition 7 of the cylinder is filled withshellac or any other suitable material.

' The pressure-gage may be of the form shown in Fig. 3. This gagecomprises an inner chamber 22, with float 23, and a surrounding annularchamber 24, with overflow-pipe 25, and communication-pipes 26 and 27,filled to the level of the overflow-pipe with appropriate liquid, suchas mercury. As the airpressure in the chamber 24 decreases or increasesthe liquid in the inner chamber 22 falls or rises and moves the float23, which communicates its motions to an appropriate indicator.

The operation will be as follows: The outer cylinder 1 is set inrotation by any suitable means, here indicated as pulley-drivenbevelgears. The mercury in cylinder 9 will begin to rise between thewalls of the two cylinders 1 and 5 and be replaced by that in thechamber 9, which acts as a sort of reservoir, through the hollow part ofthe trunnion 3 and passages 10. The rise of the mercury between thewalls of the two cylinders will at a certain speed reach the channels13, by means of which it enters the upper chamber 8 of the innerstationary cylinder and closes the opening or vent 14. By an increase inspeed the mercury will still further rise in chamber 8 and tube 6 andcause a corresponding quantity of mercury to leave the lower chamber 9.Now since the tube leading to the indicator, Fig. 3, is sealed from theatmosphere at the point 14 the drop of the mercury in chamber 9 willcause a partial vacuum in the tube and chamber 24 on the surface of themercury therein, thereby causing a rise of the body of mercury in saidchamber and a fall of the mercury in chamber 22, that communicates bypipes 26 and 27 with chamber 24. The drop of the level of the mercury inchamber 22 will cause the float 23 to drop, and thereby indicate thespeed of the part to be measured.

In order to have the indicator, Fig. 3, act as apressureinstead of avacuum gage, the structure shown in Fig. 2 is connected thereto by pipe20. The central tube 18 is open, and atmospheric pressure is always onthe mercury in chamber 9. Chamber 8 is a closed chamber communicatingwith tube 20 and gage, except when the passages 13 are uncovered. Thespeed of the cylinder 1 being such as to cause the mercury to rise andenter chamberjj85 8 by passages 13, there will be a compression of theair in the chamber 8, which will be transmitted by port 19 between thetubes 2 and 17, through the tube 20 on top of the surface of the mercuryin chamber 24 and force it through 27 and 26 into chamber 22 to raisethe level of the mercury therein, as well as the float, and therebyindicate the speed.

Having fully described myinvention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patcut, is-- 1. The combination with a pressure-gage, ofavessel containing asuitable liquid, means to connect the pressure-gagewith the atmosphere through said vessel and means to rotate thevessel,whereby the liquid contained therein will be caused bycentrifugal force to close communication between the gage and atmosphereand also produce a variation of airpressure in the gage dependent uponthe speed of rotation of the vessel, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

2. The combination with a pressure-gage, of an outer cylinder containinga suitable liquid, an inner cylinder supported stationary therein, meansto connect the pressure-gage through the inner and outer cylinders tothe atmosphere, and means to rotate the outer cylinder, whereby theliquid in said outer cylinder will be caused by centrifugal force toclose the communication to the atmosphere and also produce a variationof air-pressure in the gage dependent upon the speed of rotation of theouter cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a speed-indicator, an outer cylinder having a bottom provided withradial corrugations and radial passages through the corrugations, astationary inner cylinder, a transverse partitionintermediate its endsand containing a suitable liquid below the partition that enters theouter cylinder through the radial passages, means to establishcommunication from a suitable gage through the inner and outer cylindersto the atmosphere,

and means to rotate the outer cylinder, whereby the liquid will becaused by centrifugal force to pass through the radial passages, risebetween the two cylinders, close the communication to the atmosphere toproduce a pressure variation in the gage dependent upon the speed ofrotation,'substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a speed-indicaton'a vessel capable of being rotated, apressure-gage, means to connect the interior of the gage and vessel andvent them to the atmosphere, and a liquid in said vessel moved bycentrifugal force to close atmospheric connection to the gage and causepressure variations therein, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

5. In a speed-indicator, an outer cylinder having a bottom provided withradial corrugations and a longitudinal passage in each corrugation, aninner stationary cylinder closed at its lower end, a trunnion fixed inthe lower end of the outer cylinder, having a the outer cylinder,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A gage comprising an outer closed vessel, a float-chamber therein anda float in said chamber; in combination with mechanism containing aliquid and operated by centrifugal force to cause pressure variations inthe closed chamber and thereby alter the liquidlevel in thefloat-chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A gage comprising an outer closed vessel, a float-chamber therein anda float in said chamber; in combination with an outer cylinder, an innerstationary cylinder, having a transverse partition, a tube 6 to supportthe inner cylinder and vented above the partition, an adjustable tube inthe aforementioned one, connecting the space below the partitiontherewith above the vent, a liquid in-the bottom of both cylinders,means to connect the tube 6 with the closed chamber of the pressuregageand means to rotate the

